— Vincent J. Monteleone, CriminalSlang, p. 136, 1949
used as a term of address among male homosexuals US
— Fact, p. 26, January-February 1965
▶ the kate the army UK Shortened form of obsolete rhyming slang “Kate Carney” (or Karney), for “army”; Kate Carney was a popular music hall entertainer in the late C19.
I finally gets out of the kate in 46 and I starts this place with me gratuity. — John Peter Jones, FeatherPluckers, p. 124, 1964